Automatic musical instrument



AUTOMATIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENT Filed Aug. 15, 1933 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fig.1 o H 2 11 PLE Oct. 2, 1934. G. B. ILES 1,975,395

AUTOMATIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENT Filed Aug. 15, 1933 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 1 Fig. 4.

' Oct. 2, 1934.

G. B. ILEIS 1,975,395

AUTOMATIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENT Filed Aug. 15, 1933 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Fig. 6.

Fig. 8.

Patented Qct. 2, 1934- ran STATES:

PATENT OFFER Application August '15,

1933, Serial No. 685,180

In Great Britain July 3, 1933 9 Claims.

This invention relates to automatic musical instruments such as pneumatic piano players and the like, and to improved means for enabling a note to play at different degrees of vacuum tension.

With apparatus according to the present invention it is possible to use the known player mechanism components, as for example, purses, valves, Valve guides and seatings, and to reduce boring operations considerably.

An object of the present invention is to provide apparatus which while'capable of performing its function in a most ei'licient manner is favourable to manufacturing facilities, and is noted by an absence of complicated parts.

According to the present invention there is provided an automatic musical instrument in which two valves are allotted to each striking pneumatic, each valve placing the striking pneumatic duct f either in communication with the open air through one of its seatings or a distinct vacuum tension through its other seating, the vacuum tensions being normally of different degrees, the normal positions of the valves being such that the duct is in communication through both of the appropriate valve seatings to separate admissions of open air, the movement of one or the other of the valves from its normal position placing the duct under the influence of the appropriate vacuum tension and closing communication to open air through the seating of that valve, while at the same time the vacuum tension applied is maintained in the duct by sealing the open air way through the seating of the other valve and also keeping the other vacuum tension shut ofi from the said duct.

One valve controls the communication between the striking pneumatic and a wind-way having one degree or" vacuum tension, while the other valve controls the communication between the striking pneumatic and a second wind-way having a different degree of vacuum tension, that is to say one valve may be termed the soft wind valve and the other the heavy wind valve.

Each note of the keyboard has its own striking pneumatic or bellows, and to each striking pneumatic there is allotted a soft wind valve and a heavy wind valve.

. There is a wind-way common to the set of soft wind valves, and a second wind-way common to the set of heavy wind valves.

The constructional examples of the invention hereinafter described in detail are related to pneumatic piano players, but it is to be understood the invention is applicable to players of the organ type.

The accompanying drawings illustrate by way of example certain ways of carrying out the present invention. All the views are in diagrammatic form.

In the drawings:-

Fi 1 is a part sectional elevation of a player valve apparatus.

Fig. 2 a plan view thereof.

, Fig. 3 a detail view showing a modified form of valve.

Fig. 4 a part sectional elevation of another form of, valve and valve covering.

,Fig. 5 a part sectional elevation of a further modified formof valve and seating.

Fig. 6 a part sectional elevation of a modified form of player valve apparatus.

Figs. '7 and 8 are detail views hereinafter referred to.

Fig. 9 an arrangement of cut-on? for the windway for use with certain valves.

.It is to be noticed that the valves, valve seatings, valve guides, and valve lifting discs are of the normal type, and that the valves are actu ated by purses of the usual kind. It is further to be noted that in Figs. 1, 4, 5, and 6 the valves are shown in full outline.

Referring more particularly to Fig. l, the striking duct a communicates with the striking pneumatic'and this duct 11 is termed the striking pneumatic duct.

Each striking pneumatic has two valves 1) and c allotted thereto, and for the purpose of explanation let it be assumed that the valve 2) is the soft wind valve, and the valve c the heavy wind valve.

The set of valves 1) have a common wind-way d and the set of valves 0 have a common Windway 6. These wind-ways are arranged adjacently.

On the top of the valve assembly are arranged supports f. To these supports balanced levers g are pivoted at it.

Now dealing with one dual valve assemblage. At the ends of the lever g are screwed into position two cups i and 2", so that in pivoting about the axis it these cups completely cover the top of the valve assembly 0 or 0, making an air tight joint in each respective case.

7' and 7" are two small metal screws at the end of which are attached two buttons is and k.

The normal position of each valve is that shewn by the valve 1) in Fig. 1, that is to say, the valve is on its lower seating n or 'n' and the striking pneumatics are in communication with ice the open air through the valve seatings o and 0.

As shown in Fig. l the parts are positioned so that the striking pneumatic duct a is in communication with the wind-way e, and is under the influence of the vacuum tension in this wind- Way, so that the striking pneumatic will collapse and the note played.

To obtain this condition the purse Z has been raised by admission of outer air to the purse chamber m by the uncovering of a hole in the tracker bar acting directly or indirectlyon the purse chamber m.

It will be noted that the vacuumtension. from the common wind-way m passes through the lower seating 12 of the valve 0, and thence into its individual chamber 1) and so into the duct a which communicates with the striking pneumatic.

On the raising of the valve o and the opening up of theduct a to the vacuum tension in the wind way c, thezsuction itself acting on thecup i will draw this down on to a seating rand automatically seal the individual chamber p of the-valve b from the outer air. This sealing is necessary in order to maintain the applied vacuum tension in the duct a, as otherwise there would be a leakage to open air inasmuch: as the valve 17 has not been moved and is in its normal position shutting oi the duct from thewind way d and opening up the duct to the open air. In this normal position the purse 1" of the valve 12 is collapsed, the purse chamber m being under vacuum tension in known manner.

Now assuming that the vacuum tension in the wind-way e is greater than that in the windway d, means must be provided to prevent. communication being opened up: betweenthe duct a and this wind-way d.

For this purpose in the present constructional form means are provided to prevent the valve from being sucked up in its chamber 11' ofi its seating n. As the valve 0 is. raised the stem 0 pushing upon the button It throws over the lever g which moves the button is against the top ofi the stem b of the valve 2) and prevents this from moving away from its seating nf.

It will be noticed that the cupsz' and. i" are mounted on the lever a so that the movementthereof serves also to press one or the othenof the cups on to its seating for sealing purposes. The lever g in the normal positionof the valves. is balanced by the cups 1 and i so as to allow open air to. enter through both valve assemblies. It will be understood that. when the purse chamber m is again exhausted the dual. valve assembly will return to its normalposition. Now assuming that the particular note is: next 501b? played by the soft wind that is the striking pneumatic is to be subjected to the influence of the vacuum-tension in the wind-way d, the purse chamber m would be filled with normal air and the purse Z inflated so that the valve 11 would be lifted and open up the duct (1 to theswindway d. The cup 2 would seal the open: air-way through the valve 0, and this valve WOllldi be: kept on its seating by the lever g, etc. x V

Fig. 3 shows a variant of a valveinwhiclr a button 50 is placed on the valve stem-51 instead of on the lever g as in Fig.1. .Of course'this applies to the valve 2) as well. Adjustablezstems 51 may be used by themselves without buttons,

7 but leather buttons make for silence in operation.

Fig. 4 shows a valve arrangement: in. which smallv Wooden cups 1 with a sheepskin washer 2' areattachedto the endsof thelever of. These cups I perform the sealing by fitting against wood or fibre seatings 3, which also serve as seatings for the valves 4.

In this arrangement no provision is made on the part of the valvesto mechanically act upon the lever 9. Thus the valve stem has no action upon the lever g, to keep the appropriate valve down upon its lower seating. With this form of valve assembly the lower seatings of the valves are changed.

An arrangement of changed valve seating is shown in Fig. 5. The valve 54 has a shouldered stem 5. Upon the shoulder 6 is placed a disc 7 carrying a washer 8. When the purse 9 operates on-the lifting disc 55 the valve 54 and the disc 7 and washer 8 are lifted, but the disc and washer do not move up far enough to make direct contact with the under surface of the valve ;seating 11,'so that the duct 56 is opened up to the appropriate wind-way 12, which for clear ness of illustration we will treatas that having the. lesser vacuum tension or soft wind. Now assuming it is desired to submit the striking pneumatic duct 10 to the wind-way having the greater vacuum tension, i. e., the heavy wind, theappropriate valve 5i wouldbe lifted to close itsway to the. open air and open up the. duct 56 to. the great vacuum tension. The suction in the ductand. valve chamber" would draw downthe cup of the other valve and, seal the air-way thereof; .Now. the vacuum tension in the duct 56 wouldexceed that in the wind-way of the other valve, and; as a result thisvalve would be lifted up' until the disc 7 and its washer 8 sealed the communicationbetween the wind-way and the duct, although thevalve. was raised.

When the valve controlling communication between the wind-way having the lesser vacuum tension and the duct is moved, it is unnecessary to guardagainst the liftingoi the opposite heavy wind valve, inasmuch as the vacuum tension acting on the under side of this valve will be in excess of the vacuum .tension acting on the top side thereof, and; as a result the valve will remain on its lower seating 11.

Another,way of. sealing the communication betweennthe. duct and a wind-way isv as shown in Fig. 9, where: it is arranged that instead of the common wind-way being located immediately belowthe seating; of a valve, it is placed on a lower level: still as shown at 21. The chamber 22 like the-valve chamber p or p is individual to a particulanvalvaandasmall boring 19 communicates that-chamber 22 with. the common wind-way 21;.

Asma-ll; sheepskin flap 20. or afiap of any other 9 substance is arranged so asto. allow the suction to. pass only in one direction, namely, from-the chamber 22.te the wind-way 21. This flap- 20 acts as, an effective seal and. may take the place. of the arrangementaccording to Fig. 5. Z'i's a purse similar'to Z"in Fig.1.

Fig.6jis an alternative arrangement to- Fig: 1. The valves it will beseen are placed horizontally; and-the disc 30 carries twosheepskin washers 3-1 and 3z-mountedso as to be'capa-bleofswinging and'thus sealing either the opening to outeratmosphere of the valves 69 or 61. Itw-illbe seen thatxthevswinging disc 30' takes the place of the assembly 9, i and i in Fig; 1. 33 in Fig. 6-5is an upstanding projectionion which thedisc 30'is suspended by meansofa flexible. cordor tape 34. The valve seatings 63 are. comparable to thatshown in Fig 4; and. the valves. act directly on thedisc 30. (Mand- 65:.are purse. chambers, 66. and 67 purses; 68.and. 69.wind-ways, 70land71 lead tozthe striking' pneumatic duct, and 72 and 73 are valve stems.

But-it is to be understood that this direct action may be done away with, in which case the valve assemblics may be designed in accordance with the arrangements of Fig; or Fig-9.

Fig. 7 shows an arrangement where'two cups 80 and S1 with or without buttons 82 and 83 are suspended on a flexible support 84 on a projection 85 to take the place ofthedisc 30 in Fig. 6. Valve seatings according to Fig. 1 would be used with this arrangement.

Fig. 8 shows an arrangement somewhat similar to Fig. 6. Between the valve seatings. 90 there is placed a disc 40, which may swing to close either oithe seatings 90. Washers 41 may be provided on the seatings or on the disc itself.

The actuation of the purses of the valves may be by way of any suitable means, controlled from openings in the tracker bar. For example one purse chamber may be in communication with a tracker bar hole which when uncovered gives a soft wind or accompanimental note, and the other purse chamber in communication with a i tracker bar hole which when uncovered gives a 2 either heavy wind or accented note.

The purse chambers on the completion of a note will be emptied in any well known way.

The component parts of the valve assemblies will be made from any suitable materials.

What I claim is:

1. In an automatic musical instrument the combination with each note striking pneumatic, of two valves, and two seatings for each valve, each valve placing the striking pneumatic duct in communication with the open air through one of its seatings or a distinct vacuum tension through its other seating, the vacuum tensions being normally of different degrees, the valves in their normal positions placing the said duct in communication through both of the appropriate valve seatings to separate admissions of open air, the movement of one or the other of the valves from its normal position placing the duct under the influence of the appropriate vacuum tension and closing communication to open air through the seating of that valve, and means for sealing the open air way through the seating of the other valve so that the vacuum tension applied is maintained in the duct, the other vacuum tension being kept shut ofi from the said duct.

, either in communication with the open air through one of its seatings or a distinct vacuum tension through its other seating, the vacuum tensions being normally of different degrees, the valves in their normal positions placing the said duct in communication through both of the appropriate valve seatings to separate admissions of open air, the movement of one or the other of the valves from its normal position placing the duct under the influence of the appropriate vacuum tension and closing communication to open air through the seating of that valve, means for sealing the open air way through the seating of the other valve so that the vacuum tension applied is maintained in the duct, and means operative on the movement of one valve to prevent the other valve from being lifted oiT its seating so as to keep the other vacuum tension shut off from the said duct.

3. In an automatic musical instrument the combination with each note striking pneumatic,

of two valves, and two seatings for each valve,

each valve placing the striking pneumatic. duct either in communication with the .open air through one of its seatings or a distinct vacuum tension through its other seating, the vacuum tensions being normally of difierent degrees, the valves in their normal positions placing the said duct in communication through both of the ap propriate valve seatings to separate admissions of open air, the movement of one or the other of the valves from its normal position placing the duct under the influence of the appropriate vacuum tension and closing communication to open air through the seating of that valve, means for sealing the open air way through the seating of the other valveso that the vacuum tension applied is maintained in the duct and means cooperating with the other valve that when this is moved by the suction of the vacuum tension aforesaid, the other vacuum tension is prevented from being applied to the duct.

4. In an automatic musical instrument, the combination with each note striking pneumatic, of two valves, two seatings for each valve, each valve placing the striking pneumatic duct either in communication with the open air through one of its seatings or a distinct vacuum tension through its other seating, both valves being normally on the seatings communicating the said duct with the open air, means actuated by the vacuum tension admitted to the duct on the movement of one valve to its other seating to close communication to open air through the seating of the other valve, while at the same time the other vacuum tension is kept shut off from the said duct.

5. In an automatic musical instrument, the combination with each note striking pneumatic, of two valves, two seatings for each valve, purses for moving said valves, each valve placing the striking pneumatic duct either in communication with the open air through one of its seatings or a distinct vacuum tension through its other seating, both valves being normally on the seatings communicating the said duct with the open air, means operative on the movement of one valve by its purse to its other seating to close communication to open air through the seating of the other valve, and means to prevent at the same time said other valve from moving ofi its normal seating.

6. In an automatic musical instrument, the combination with each note striking pneumatic, of two valves, two seatings for each valve, purses for moving said valves, each valve placing the striking pneumatic duct either in communication with the open air through one of its seatings or a distinct vacuum tension through its other seating, both valves being normally on the seatings communicating the said duct with the open air, a pivoted carrier over the top of each valve as sembly, sealing cups on said carrier, and members on said carrier for preventing one valve moving off its normal seating when the other valve is moved by its purse away from its normal seatmg.

7. In an automatic musical instrument, the combination with each note striking pneumatic, of two valves, two seatings for each valve, purses for moving said valves, each valve placing the striking pneumatic duct either in communication with the open air through one of its seatings or a distinct vacuum tension through its other seating, a common wind-way with which one valve of each pair of valves communicates, and a second common wind-way with which the other valve of each pair of valves communicates, both valves and the common wind-way. a one-way acting valve: J in V Qi In an 'automatiomusical instrument, the combination with each notestriking pneumatic, of two valves; two seatings for each valve; each valve placing the striking pneumatic duct either in communication withthe openair through one llinames;

of its ;se a2tings or .a distinct vacuum tension through its other seating, a common wind-way with which one valve of each pair of valves communicates; and a second commonwind-Way with which. the-otheriofiea'ch pair. of valves communicates, both valves being normally on the seatings communicating the said duct with the, open air, means operativeon the movement of one valve to its other seating to closetcommunicatio'n to open air through the seating of the other valve, and means on one of the valves comprising a memberhaving. a movement independent of the said valvefor sealing the communication between the wind-way and the duct. t 

